Centrifugal machine



Sept. 2 1924. 1,507,412

T. A. BRYSON CENTRIFUGAL MACHINE FiledJune 12. 1920 f IIVVENTOR BY W Patented Sept. 2,1924.

mural) STATES TANDY A. BBYSON, OF TROY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO lltoll'aHUlfls'll' PATENT OFFICE.

MACHINE WORKS,

A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

' cmrrmruear. MACHINE.-

Application filed June 12,

To all whom it may cmwe-rn":

Be it known that I, TANDYA. BRYsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Troy, in the county of Rensselaer and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Machines, of

which the followingis a,specification,

The invention relates to centrifugal machines and more especially to novel means and devices in the machine designed to compensate for, or to take care of, an unbalanced whirling or rotating load, and the objectionable or harmful vibrations which arise or are set up in the machine. The present in- 1 vention relates more especially to such means or devices as applied to a machine wherein the action of gravity is employed as a centeriiig means to operate against or to govern the gyratory movement or vertical oscillatory 2 movement of the shaft and basket due to an unbalanced load.

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part hereinafter and in part will be obvious herefrom, or may be learned by practice with the invention; the same being realized and attained by means of instrumentalities, and combinations pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention consists in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations and improvements herein shown and described.

The accompanying drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, il-

' lustrate one embodiment of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the. principles of the invention. Of the drawings 1 Fig. 1' is a central vertical section through a suspended or ever-driven centrifugal ,machineembodying the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section, corresponding to the upper part of Fig. 1, showing a somewhat difierent form of the mechanism a a The invention providesv a regulating or governing device of the kind referred to applied to a basket shaft which is restrained from translational movement at its point or place of suspension, but which is free while rotating also to rock or oscillate vertically about said point (such rocking or oscillation being resisted by gravity), as differentiated from the type of machine having a yielding or resilient bearing which ab- 1520. Seria1No.388,6 59.

sorbs and resists in part such oscillatory or gyratory motion of the shaft. My application Ser. No. 388,658, Patent No..1,481,502, issued January 22, 1924, discloses the application 'of the invention to this resilient bearing type of machine.

In connection with the machine of the gravity resisting type referred to, the invention comprises frictional elements in contact with each other and movable one relatively to the other, one moving with the shaft in its gyratory 'or vertical angular movement, and another in contact therewith frictionally resisting such movement, the friction being derived from the weight of the basket, shaft and load resting on said relatively movable members.

Further, as embodied, the frictional members consist of a plurality of superposed contacting plates surrounding the shaft or its housing, some of the plates fitting the shaft or housing and having clearance about their outer edges, so as to move with the gyrating or oscillating shaft, and contacting frictionally therewith, other plates having clearance about the shaft or'housing and held stationary, the friction between the plates being derived from the weight ofthe basket, shaft and load.

More in detail, as embodied, the basket shaft housing is mounted for gyration or vertical oscillation in a nonresilient bearing within a casing, and surrounding the housing are one or more horizontally disposed an nular friction plates fitting the housing but having clearance within the casing, and in contact-therewith are similar plates fitting the casing but having clearance about the housing. Thus, when the basketshaft gyrates or oscillates vertically from an unbalanced basket load, one kind or set of the plates slide on the other and absorb or dampen the vibrations and the oscillatory movement. J v

Referring now in detail to the present perferred embodiment of the invention, il-, lustrated by Way of example in the accompanying drawings it is applied to an overdriven or suspended centrifugal; machine, although it is also applicable to the underdriven type of machine, As. embodied, a casingl is-mounted on the floorbron a suitable frame, and has a cylindrical side wall 2, a top flange 3 and a bottom f, with a suitable outlet 5. The casing may be of any tom outlets 9, closed b suitable ,or convenient form so far as concerns the present invention.

Suspended and rotating within the casing 1 is a basket 6, having a perforate cylindrical side wall 7, an inwardly inclined annular top flange 8 and one or more bota valve 10. These, may be of any suitab e'usual or standard construction as may be desired.

'Basket 6 is suspended on an upwardly extending shaft or spindle 14, fixed to the basket at the center of its bottom. At its upper end shaft 14 has a housing 15, within which the shaft is rotatably suspended by a suitable construction or, mechanism.

Shaft 14 is driven by pulley 11,whichis fixegl by a screw 13 in its hub 12 to the sha t. 1 I

The housing 15 for the basket spindle 14 permits vertical angular motion in all directions of the shaft or spindle 14 but does Iiot permit translational movement thereof, that is, movement at right angles to the axis of the shaft. The vertical angular motion or gyration of the spindle due to unbalanced basket load is op osed by the action of I gravity, and also y the operation of the friction damplng means applied to the shaft suspension, said means also operating to dampen and absorb the objectionable vibrations already referred to. L

In Fig. 1 a direct bearing for housing 15 is shown as a spheroidal member 18, surrounding with a sliding fit the housing 15 at or near the middle point-of the length or height of the housing. As embodied, spheroidal member 18 has its center on the axis of shaft 14 at the center of oscillation of the shaft on its bearin whereby member 18 always adjusts it S8 f to the angular position of the shaft and housing during. .their motion with an u balanced load as aready described. ,The housing supporting member 18 is itself suppor ed in an annular member 19. Member 9 has flat top and bottom surfaces and cylindrical ..-outer and inner walls, but at the 'juncture or joining edge of its top surface and" inner wall it is spheroidally cut away to fit the "spheroidal exterior of the member 18.

Member 18 is thus supported by, but is free to rock rela'tivelyio its support 19.

The internal diameter of member 19 is such that it also provides clearance about housing 15, to permit the gyratory motion of the housing previously referred to. The external cylindrical wall of member 19 -makes an easy fit within a supporting casmember 19, is rovided, resting upon memher 19 and fitting about the upper part, of

member 18. Member 21 likewise. has clearance about the housing 15 and has an easy fit within casing 20. It thus allows the angular or gyratory' motion of the housing about its own central point-and transmits the'frictional pressure between the damping devices As here embodied, housing 15 has projecting from its top portion a horizontal annular flange 28, which flange rests upon a flat annular friction plate 22. Plate 22 fits easily within casing 20 but has clearance about the housing 15, whereby the plate is held stationary horizontally within the easing 20.

In contact with plate 22 therebeneath is an annular plate 23 which internally fits the housing l5 but externally has clearance with respect to casing 20. Thus plate 23 will move horizontally with any angular or gyratory motion of housing 15 and at the same time will slide with frictional resistance on plate 22. Plate 24 is like plate 22,

and plate 25 is like plate 23, plate 25' resting upon the top of bearing member 21.

Beneath bearing member 19 is a flat, horizontal annular friction plate 29, which plate fits easily about the housing 15 but has clearance within the casing 20. Plate '29 rests upon a similar platez30, which fits easily within the casing 20 but has. clear ance about the housing 15. Plate 30 rests upon a plate. 31 which is like plate 30. Plate 31 rests upon an internally horizontally. projecting annular supporting flange.

32 which is part of casin 20.

Thus the wei ht of the asket and its load is transmitted rom flange 28 of the spindle "housing 15 through the friction members manner described as the v carry the weight of the spindle, basket and load. This mechanism also dampens or absorbs all objectionable and harmful vibration arising frhm the causes hereinbefore described or from other causes. The two sets of friction devices, one above and one below the center of oscillation or gyration of the housing move in o posite directions and cooperate in their amping or absorbing action.

In Fig. 2 is shown a single frictional device, but constructed in essentially, the same manner. A hemi-spheroidal bearing member .35 encircles and is fixed to housing 15 preferably midway of the height of the housing. This bearing member 35 rests in an annular bearing member- 36 fitting loosely within the 'casing 37 and having clearance about the housing 15. Member 36 has fiat top and bottom surfaces and cylindrical inner and outer vertical surfaces, but is spheroidally cut away at the juncture of its top and its inner vertical wall to provide a seat to fit the member and to permit it to rock in its seat with the angular or gyratory motion of the shaft. In this construction the spindle, basket and load are supported by the relatively movable members 35 and 3 6. The friction vibration and gyration damping or absorbing means are located entirely beneath the supporting ring 36. As shown, ring 36 rests on a horizontal annular plate 39 which fits the bolls ing 15 and has clearance within the casing 37. Plate 39 rests on a plate 40, which fits easily within casing 37 and has clearance about housing 15. Plate 40 rests on plate 41, which latter is like plate 39, and plate 41 in turn rests on plate 42, which is like plate 40. 4 Plate 42 rests on the horizontally, inwardly projecting flange 43 of casing 37, which provides a fixed support for the entire mechanism.

The weight of the basket shaft.basket and load are transmitted from bearing ring 35 to ring 36, while ring 35 is free to swing in its seat in ring 36. The load is thence transmitted to the friction plates and to flange 43. The friction plates operate in the manner already described, which description need not be repeated.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific mechanisms shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanyin claims without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages. g

Whatli claim is 2-- 1. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor comprising a basket shaft, a flexible, non-resilient support therefor, and a plurality of contacting relatively movable friction members carrying the weight of thebasket and shaft and acting by such movement to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft.

2. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor comprising a basket shaft, a flexible, non-resilient support therefor,' and a plurality of contacting relatively movable flat friction lates carrying the weight of the shaft, ba et and load, acting by such movement to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft.

' 3. A centrifugal machine including in and rotating means therefor comprising a sket shaft, a support therefor'permitting vertical oscillation or gyration thereof about a fixed point, and a plurality of'contacting friction members, one at least thereof moving with atively movable annular friction plates supthe shaft and relatively to a contacting friction member in non-rotary movement of the shaft, said friction members carrying the weight of .the shaft, basket and load, and acting by such movement to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft.

4. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor comprising a basket shaft, a support therefor permitting vertical oscillation or gyration thereof about a fixed oint, and a plurality of contacting flat iction plates, one at least thereof moving shaft is free to gyrate, or oscilate vertically,

a plurality of relatively slidable contacting friction members having contacting surfaces of substantial area carrying the weight of the shaft, basket and load, one at least of said members moving with the shaft and relatively to a contacting friction member to dampen gyratory motion of the basket shaft.

6. A centrifugal machine including "in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor comprising a hasket shaft, a flexible, non-resilient support therefor, and a plurality of contacting relatively movable non-resilient friction members having contacting surfaces of substantial area, carrying the weight of the shaft,

basket and load, acting by such movement to dampen the gyratory .movement of the shaft.

7. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor including a shaft, a housin in which the shaft is q'ournaled, a casing a out the housing, a non-resilient support for the housing, and a plurality of relatively movable annular friction plates supporting the housihg support, shaft and basket, and supported by the casing, one of said plates fittin the housing and having clearance within t e casing and a contacting plate fitting the casing and having clearance about the housing. r

8. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor including a shaft, a housing in which the shaft is journaled, a casing about the housing, a s heroidal su port for the housing, and a p urality of're porting the housing support, shaft and basat, and supported y t e casing, one of said plates fitting the housing and having cleartime within the casing and a contacting plate fitting the casing and having clearance about the housing.

9. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket and supporting and rotating means therefor comprising a basket shaft, a flexible, non-resilient support therefor, and a plurality of contacting relatively movable friction members having contacting surfaces of substantial area in slidable contact with one another, for carrying the weight of the basket and shaft and acting by such movement to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft said friction members being arranged substantially symmetrically on opposite sides of said suport.

P 10. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket, a shaft therefor," a

non-resilient support for the shaft permitting gyratory movement thereof, a pulley about said support, and a plurality of relatively slidable contacting friction elements within the pulley, said friction elements having contacting surfaces of substantial area for carrying the weight of the basket and serving to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft.

11. A' centrifugal machine including in combination a basket, a shaft therefor, a non-resilient support for the shaft permitting gyratory movement thereof, a pulley about said support, and relatively slidable friction plates within the pulley carrying the weight of the basket and shaft, for damping the gyratoryjmovement.

12. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket, a shaft therefor, a non-resilient support for the shaft permitting gyratory movement thereof, a pulley about said support, and relatively slidable annular friction plates of different-diameters within the pulley for carrying the weight of the basket and shaft, for damping the gyratory movement.

13. A centrifugal machine including in combination a basket, a shaft therefor, a non-resilient support for the shaft rmitting gyratory movement thereof, an a plurality of relatively slidable flat annular friction plates of different diameters for supporting the weight of the basket and serving to dampen the gyratory movement a of the shaft.

14. A centrifugal machine including 'in combination a basket, a shaft for supporting the basket, a spherical bearing for the shaft permitting gyratory movement thereof and a plurality of relatively slidable frietion plates having contacting surfaces of substantial area for supporting the weight of the basket and serving to dampen the gyratory movement of the shaft.

15. A centrifugal machine includin in combination a shaft, a basket suspended on the lower end of the shaft, a bearingat the upper end of the shaft including a spherical member, a spherical seat for said member, a casing about the bearing, member and seat, and a plurality of contacting friction plates, one plate moving with the bearing and another plate not so moving, said plates supporting the bearing, the spherical, member and seat and supported by the casing.

16. A centrifugal machine including in combination a shaft, a basket suspended on the lower end of the shaft, a non-resilient bearing at the upper end of the shaft including a spherical member a spherical seat for said member, and re atively slidable friction devices having contacting surfaces of substantialarea for supporting the bearing, member and seat.

17. A centrifugal machine includin in combination a shaft, a basket suspende on the lower end of the shaft, a bearing at the upper end of the shaft including a spherical member, a spherical seat for said member, and a plurality of contacting friction plates located both above and below said spherical seat, one plate moving with the bearing and another. plate not so moving, said plates supporting the bearing, the spherical member and seat.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

M. K. BUsKIN, A. J. SCHLEIOH. 

